Crunch time: Shrewsbury Town have been here before

We have been here before. Easter arrives with Shrewsbury Town in the thick of a promotion battle. The spectre of Torquay looms large. The sense of deja vu is inescapable, writes James Garrison.

And yet a better opportunity has never confronted Shropshire's premier sporting institution in their quest to return to the third tier of English football after a 15-year absence.

After three near misses in the last six years – two play-off final defeats and a semi-final exit at the hands of Torquay 12 months ago – the odd doubt will inevitably creep into the psyche of Town supporters. And away-day setbacks at Plymouth, Aldershot and Bradford have provided timely reminders Town must remain fully focused as the pressure mounts.

But the overwhelming feeling is that the class of 2012 is made of sterner stuff than its predecessors.

Their flawless Greenhous Meadow form of the last 13 months will stand them in good stead for a run-in that includes four home games out of six after tomorrow's trip to Macclesfield.

And the fact they have yet to taste defeat on the five occasions they have been reduced to 10 men this season suggests the mental strength that Graham Turner today cites as such a crucial factor over the next five weeks is present in abundance.

But the fact remains that Town are embroiled in one of the most demanding automatic promotion races League Two has witnessed for many a year.

Only once in the last two decades has 85 points been required to finish in the top three.

Yet that scenario is looking a very real prospect as the breakaway group of five show few signs of flinching as the finishing line approaches.

In the wake of Tuesday's victory at Barnet, it is undoubtedly Swindon's title to lose – and who knows quite how Paolo Di Canio will react if and when the championship trophy is deposited at the County Ground.

Martin Ling continues to ensure the sun shines on the English Riviera, a remarkable run of 60 points from the last 78 ensuring the 1-0 specialists Torquay are set to last out the marathon course.

Crawley continue to answer the doubters who believed the departure of strike duo Matt Tubbs and Tyrone Barnett and suspensions to three key defenders – Kyle McFadzean, Pablo Mills and Claude Davis – would derail their hopes.

Like Shrewsbury, their run-in appears favourable, while Southend continue to cling onto the coat-tails of the leading quartet. So intense is the battle for automatic promotion, the sides that miss out run the very real risk of a play-off hangover.

Shrewsbury found that to their cost 12 months ago when a solitary point separated them from the top three, but damp squib play-off displays followed against Torquay.

But I believe Town will have no such worries this time. The title looks to be Swindon's but my hunch is they will be chased home by the other STFC, with Torquay and Crawley left to scrap it out for third spot.

See also:

• Season ticket joy for Shrewsbury Town
• Graham Turner forced to shuffle Shrewsbury Town side
• Shrewsbury Town braced for defeat on red card appeal